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Page 317
the fine. "William of Wenneval is still alive and hearty."
"It was not a matter of choice for me," Alinor replied softly. "I was married before your offer was put to me by King Richard's order in the Holy Land."
That was, of course, the only answer Alinor could make, but she and Ian discussed the king's remark at length. It was so natural, so reasonable a comment that, had any other person made it, they would have taken it as a signal that all was forgiven and forgotten. Neither could quite believe it of John. He was famous, or perhaps infamous, for never forgetting an injury or an insult. The court at large might take what had been said at face value because they did not know how deeply and personally Alinor had injured and insulted John. To Alinor the mention of the incident was a deliberate reminder that John had not forgotten. it seemed to her that the emphasis on Wenneval's living was a threat that Ian would not live long.
Ian shrugged that off indifferently. He agreed that John had probably meant Alinor to think that way, that the king no doubt wished to frighten her. He pointed out that there was little the king could do to implement the threat.
"There are long knives in dark corners," Alinor snapped.
"Nonsense," Ian rejoined. "The whole court now knows the story of our marriage. Do you think any would doubt where the order came from if aught befell me? In the heat of anger, when he first heard, the king might have thought to be rid of me that way, but he is cool now. He would never give so good an excuse for complaint to the noblemen, who are still whispering about what happened to Arthur. Especially now before he declares a most unwelcome and heavy tax. I think we are safe for now, at least until the Twelfth Day festivities are over. It is then he will declare the tax of one thirteenth, I am sure, and he will desire no cause for outcry until that is safe in his purse."

 
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